Two-section foldable game table



M y 6, 1952 K. E. SUTTON TWO-SECTION FOLDABLE GAME TABLE Filed March 25, 1949 Kenna fk' E $1zz r /oxz Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED S'E'E'ES PATENT OFFECE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a gametable and more particularly to a combination Ping-pong table and card-playing table.

Ping-pong tables are of an extended length which is that necessary for playing the game, and no provision is made for any other use of this table. The table is of a size which normally occupies considerable space and even though the legs may collapse, it is still of such size that if stood up along the wall or in any place of storage would occupy considerable space.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an arrangement whereby a Ping-pong table may be so folded that it may be utilized for a game of a different character, and at the same time will occupy substantially only half the space which it occupies in normal use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination Ping-pong table and game table of a card-playing character by utilization of the under surface of one of the sections of the Pingpong table for this card playing purpose.

Another object of this invention is to provide a Ping-pong table which is so supported that but one pair of legs is necessary for collapsing when. the table is folded into a position for a card game use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a table having a plurality of pockets which may be located on the under side of a Ping-pong table and used for a game table of smaller character when the Ping-pong table is not desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of recesses which will receive the legs of one section of the Ping-pong table when not in use as a Ping-pong table so that the same may be conveniently stored and yet used as a game table by utilizing the structure provided on the under surface thereof.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my game table set up for Ping-pong;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the table in another position and set up for use for a card game such, for instance, as poker;

Figure 3 is a fragmental view illustrating a detail of a section, the under surface of which is used for a card game;

Figure 4 is a fragmental view illustrating the hinge arrangement between the sections with the sections in position as shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a fragmental view showin the sections in the position shown in Figure 2, illustrating the hinge and leg arrangements thereof.

In proceeding with this invention, I provide two rectangular table top sections of substantially equal area, each having downwardly extending strengthening flanges. Legs support one of the sections at four corners, while the other section is hinged to one edge of the first section so that it may be swung through degrees and be superimposed upon the first section in inverted relation, or it may extend from the first section in edge-to-edge relation as an extension thereof. The under surface of this second section is provided with a plurality of pockets around its periphery into some of which pockets the legs which support the second section at its end distant from the hinge may be folded, the playing surface be ing provided in the center on the stiffening structure along one of its surfaces.

With reference to the drawings, a playing deck or surface area is provided in two sections, is designates one section of rectangular shape having a top wall II with downwardly extending flanges I2 about its opposite edges. Four legs [3, l3 at one edge and l4, 14 at the other edge located at substantially the corners of the rectangular section support the section a proper distance and height from the floor. Braces (5 are provided for holding the legs 13 and is in desired supporting position.

A second rectangular section I6 of the same area as the section It] has a top surface I! with downwardly extending flanges I8 extending around its periphery. This section is hinged to the section Ill along one edge thereof by a pair of hinges 19 (see Figure 2) which are so arranged that the section I6 may swing from the position shown in Figure l to the position shown in Figure 2 through 180 degrees so that the section l6 may be superimposed in inverted relation on the section It) and cover substantially the same area as the section H), or this section may be swung from the position shown in Figure 2 through 180 degrees into the position shown in Figure 1 so that the section I 6 is in edge-to-edge relation and an extension of the section In. When in this position shown in Figure 1, it will be supported by the hinges at one edge while at the opposite edge legs 20, 20 will extend from its opposite corners and be braced as at 2| for holding them in their supporting position. When the sections are in this position, a net 22 may be supported by brackets 23 so that the table may be used for Ping-pong or table tennis.

The under surface of the second section [6 is reenforced by means of members 24 extending at right angles to the hinged edge so as to leave between these members 24 and the flange [8 pockets or recesses 25 and 26 along opposite under sides of the section and into these pockets or recesses 25 the legs 20 may be folded, as shown in Figure 2, for convenient storage. Other similar braces 21 may extend at right angles to these braces 24, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 and provide a space between them and the flange 18 which may be conveniently subdivided by partitions 28 into other pockets 29 at the opposite edges of the table. A card deck 39 may be secured to extend from braces 24 on one side to 24 on the other, and from braces 21 on one side to 21 on the other, that a playin surface for cards or the like may be provided on the under side of the section l6.

By this arrangement these different pockets may be conveniently used for chips, cigarette containers, or glasses, or any articles which it is desired should be prevented from being dislodged from the surface of the table. The table may be used for Ping-pong, as shown in Figure 1, or folded to take up less space, as shown in Figure 2, and while in this position of occupying less space, may be used for the playing of som card game such, for instance, as bridge, poker, or any other popular game for which a playing surface is desired.

I claim:

1. A game table comprising two rectangular sections of equal area havin downwardly extending flanges, legs supporting the four corners of the first section, the second section being superimposed in inverted relation on said first section, hinge means connecting said sections along one edge at the top surface for swinging the second section through 180 degrees, a playing surface in the plane of the flanges of the second section with elongated recesses with their lengthwise axes extending along the edges at right angles to said hinge edge, legs secured to the corners of the second section distant from said hinge and beneath said surface and swingable about an axis parallel to the hinge from a position at right angles to the plane of said surface into said recesses whereby said second section may be swung from a position superimposed on the first section to a position in edge-to-edge relation and in extension of the first section and be supported by said hinge and said foldable legs.

2. A game table as in claim 1 wherein said second section has recesses in its said surface along its other edges.

3. A game table as in claim 1 wherein said undersurface of said second section is provided with a plurality of pockets about its peripheral edge, and the legs for the second section are foldable into some of said pockets which provide said recesses.

KENNETH E. SUTTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 362,522 Main May 10, 1887 462,933 Sanderson Nov. 10, 1891 737,455 Noble Aug. 25, 1903 1,028,463 Hockin June 4, 1912 1,549,979 Hofstad Aug. 18, 1925 1,906,865 Knox May 2, 1933 1,911,750 Collignon May 30, 1933 2,204,107 Swett June 11, 1940 2,260,478 Peter Oct. 28, 1941 2,406,237 Milkofi Aug, 2-0, 1946 2,545,064 Alch Mar, 13, 1951 2,546,323 Taylor Mar. 27, 1951 

